We recently sailed on the newest ship in the Celebrity Cruises’ fleet, Celebrity Xcel. Like all Edge-class vessels, this ship features the innovative infinite veranda design in place of most balcony rooms. While we generally prefer a traditional balcony, we went into this cruise with an open mind. Could the Celebrity Xcel Infinite Veranda change our mind? Find out in our latest review where we share the pros and cons of this controversial cruise cabin to help you decide if it’s right for your next vacation.
Our Celebrity Xcel Infinite Veranda Quick Facts
- Cabin Number: 12151
- Category: C1 Prime Concierge Class
- Size: 243 square feet including veranda area
- Location: Deck 12 midship, portside
- Sleeps: 2-4 guests
- Best For: Those prioritizing more interior space and privacy
- Our Verdict: While we still prefer the true outdoor space of a traditional balcony, this Celebrity Xcel infinite veranda is a comfortable and elegant accommodation.
Our Celebrity Xcel Infinite Veranda
Since we were hosted by Celebrity Cruises on this preview sailing, we were assigned to stateroom 12151, a C1 Prime Concierge Class cabin. Reviewing the deck plans, this portside balcony cabin is located midship on Deck 12 (closer to the forward elevator bank).
When it comes to balcony cabins on Celebrity Xcel, the infinite veranda is the most prevalent with Sunset Veranda staterooms and The Retreat providing the only true balconies on the ship. According to Celebrity Cruises’ website, this Celebrity Xcel Infinite Veranda is approximately 243 square feet and sleeps up to four guests.
While the same size as other Infinite Veranda cabins on the ship, Concierge Class comes with a few additional perks. Though, none are highly valuable. The perks include:
- Concierge Class lunch on embarkation day
- Exclusive Destination Seminar
- Pre-departure lounge on disembarkation morning
- Pillow menu upon request
- Welcome bottle of sparkling wine
- Daily “delectable delights”
- Personalized concierge service
- Rooms located on higher decks in more prime locations
Regardless of your cabin location, all Infinite Veranda staterooms include a floor-to-ceiling window that opens at the touch of a button, creating an indoor-outdoor hybrid space. All cabins have modern styling and elegant finishes, king-sized beds with eXhale bedding, a sitting area with sofa, a desk, premium bath products, and complimentary use of bathrobes and umbrellas.
Layout of Our Celebrity Xcel Infinite Veranda
Immediately entering our Celebrity Xcel Infinite Veranda, the bathroom was to the left. Tucked around the corner from the bathroom was the closet and additional storage space.
Beyond the bathroom and closet was the bed on the left wall facing forward. The seating area (left) and desk (right) were closer to the window. There was a small nightstand on each side of the bed as well.
Finally, there was the infinite veranda area. This area features two chairs and a table with folding doors to close off the space if desired. There’s also a retractable window shade.
The cabin features a neutral color palette with light wood, white and tan tones, and pops of yellow for color, creating an inviting and sophisticated atmosphere.
Inside Our Celebrity Xcel Infinite Veranda
Bathroom
The bathroom in this Celebrity Xcel Infinite Veranda is spacious by cruise ship standards. It features light wood tones, marble finishes, and a capsule-shaped shower with a glass door.
There is ample counter space and storage, with shelves for toiletries on both sides. While there’s body lotion, there is no hand soap dispenser in the bathroom.
The shower is also more roomy than typical cruise cabins, and features dispensers for shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel along with a shave bar.
Closet
The closet in this stateroom features two small clothes bars with hangers, one full length perfect for hanging longer dresses and pants. Below the other clothes bar is a safe and three drawers for storage perfect for packing cubes with undergarments or shoes.
There’s an additional somewhat hidden storage space as well. Located on the corner between the bathroom and the closet, it features seven additional small shelves for stowing away other odds and ends.
Main Cabin Area
The main cabin area of this Celebrity Xcel Infinite Veranda stateroom makes efficient use of space. The bed, with the Celebrity eXhale bedding, is extremely comfortable. We had no issues falling asleep after our long days and nights on the ship.
There are small nightstands on each side of the bed, but only one side has outlets — one USB, one USB-C, and one US outlet. Across from the bed is the television.
The sitting area includes a large sofa that was a comfortable spot for us to unwind during the afternoon. Though, there is no coffee table or side table.
The fairly large desk completes the arrangement. The desk itself features a comfy chair with back support and a charging station with one USB, one USB-C, two 110V, and one 220V outlets. You’ll also find the mini-fridge here. Adjacent to the desk is even more storage space with three good-sized drawers for packing cubes or folded clothing.
Infinite Veranda
The infinite veranda in this Celebrity Xcel cabin is considered the “balcony”. Instead of a standard balcony stateroom with a sliding door that you step out of onto a private balcony area, these Infinite Veranda cabins have a large floor-to-ceiling window that opens halfway with the push of a button, creating what’s essentially an indoor-outdoor hybrid space. The goal? Bringing passengers closer to the water while maximizing usable interior space.
To some, these infinite veranda cabins may seem like just a room with a window, but they are a significant upgrade from a traditional ocean view room. These infinite balcony cabins have more square footage (200-238 square feet depending on the ocean view room category) and are usually located on higher decks. The windows are usually larger as well… and they actually open.
If you’re looking for additional interior living space, this type of cabin is a great option. It also provides additional seating, with two extra chairs and a table.
Though, there are some disadvantages to this setup. For one, there is no true outdoor space that creates complete separation from the interior. Slipping out onto the “balcony” for a morning coffee while your cabin mate is still sleeping is basically impossible as it involves opening a noisy shade and then lowering the window.
Further, the air conditioning shuts off when the window is open, bringing the outdoor air temperature inside your cabin. Thus, in the Bahamas, we barely opened the window so we could keep the room cool at all times.
Recap of Our Celebrity Xcel Infinite Veranda Review
We did enjoy the modern finishes, space, storage, and comfort level of this Celebrity Xcel Infinite Veranda. As the newest ship in the Celebrity fleet, the cabin was fresh and sophisticated. Though, we still prefer a traditional balcony vs. the infinite veranda. There’s just something alluring about sitting out on a cruise ship balcony and enjoying the scenic vistas and ocean breezes. It’s also nice to return inside to a climate-controlled room after sitting out in the Caribbean sun.
When it comes to location, this cabin is pretty midship, which is ideal for those who are prone to motion sickness. Being on Deck 12, we were just one level below the Pool Deck. This was convenient, and we never heard any noise from above. This did mean that we needed to take an elevator up from the main public spaces on Decks 3-5, but we never had any issues securing one during our trip.
For the price, a Celebrity Xcel Infinite Veranda is a good compromise between interior or ocean view cabins and suites in The Retreat. It still allows access to fresh air without breaking the bank. If you prefer a traditional balcony, we recommend upgrading to a Sunset Veranda. You’ll thank us later!
Celebrity Xcel Cabin Tour
Pros of a Celebrity Xcel Infinite Veranda
- More interior living space compared to traditional balcony cabins
- Floor-to-ceiling windows provide unobstructed ocean views
- Enhanced privacy compared to traditional balconies with dividers
- Protection from wind, rain, and excessive sun while still enjoying fresh air
- Indoor-outdoor living concept maximizes versatility & seating options
Cons of a Celebrity Xcel Infinite Veranda
- No true outdoor balcony space – you always remain inside the cabin
- Air conditioning shuts off automatically when window opens
- Window mechanism can be noisy and may disturb sleeping cabinmates
- Less flexibility for couples with different routines
- Captain can disable window function in certain weather conditions
Comments
Have you sailed in a Celebrity Infinite Veranda? What is your preferred cabin category when you cruise? Drop us an anchor below with your reviews of Celebrity Cruises’ staterooms.
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